Central Banking
Papademos flies to Athens as Greece decides on new leader
Former European Central Bank vice-president Lucas Papademos rushes to Athens as Greek officials discuss leadership choice for new coalition government
SNB’s Hildebrand ready to intervene in Swiss franc market
Swiss National Bank chairman Philipp Hildebrand says central bank is prepared to weaken “highly valued” currency further if deflationary risks materialise
Time for timidity has passed, says Lagarde
Christine Lagarde calls for action from developed and emerging economies; tells Russia to rebuild fiscal buffers
Ireland introduces revised requirements for lenders dealing with SMEs
Ireland changes rules for banks lending to small and medium-sized enterprises when they are facing financial difficulties; new code updates 2009 effort
Bank of Canada paper evaluates degree of banking stress in high-income countries
Bank of Canada study shows high-income countries dominated capital flows and experienced largest banking sector stresses during crisis
ECB’s González-Páramo calls for more stringent EU fiscal policy
European Central Bank executive board member José Manuel González-Páramo urges eurozone governments to conduct fiscal policy with clear medium-term objectives
Brics funding to low-income countries is risk-weighted: IMF paper
Fund study shows degree of loans concessionality to low-income countries is negatively correlated with risk profile
Price stickiness reduces productivity gains and job creation: Bank of Korea paper
Bank of Korea says less rigid prices and more elastic demand can heighten effects of productivity on job creation
IMF to supervise Italy on debt reduction plan
Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi agrees to invite International Monetary Fund to Rome to oversee its fiscal consolidation efforts but turns down option for financial support
FSB confirms Carney as next chair
Financial Stability Board announced Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney as next chairman; vast experience in banking will come in handy
Final rules to tackle systemically important institutions announced
G-20 agrees on policy measures to address risks posed by systemically important financial institutions; 29 institutions identified as of global systemic importance
Central banks react to eurozone situation
Denmark and Romania lower benchmark rates and Australia lowers growth expectations; all point to continuing eurozone uncertainty as key decision-making factor
Portugal less vulnerable to global price shocks: Bank of Portugal paper
Bank of Portugal study finds the country has one of the lowest price elasticities of external demand in the euro area
Sifi rules will make financial system safer: BIS’s Cecchetti
Bank for International Settlements head of the monetary and economic department Stephen Cecchetti says new Sifi rules will provide positive externalities to entire financial system
Build-up of euro area risks necessitated further stimulus: BoE’s Bean
Bank of England deputy governor Charlie Bean explains Monetary Policy Committee’s decision to restart its quantitative easing programme
Commodity futures help forecast spot prices during periods of turmoil: IMF paper
Fund study shows futures-based forecasts of commodity spot prices still tend to outperform a random walk during periods of volatility
King wants clearly defined bank ring-fence
Bank of England governor Mervyn King says lawmakers must ensure legislation on retail banking ring-fence is clear so regulators can focus on enforcing the new measures
Papandreou retreats on referendum as lawmakers revolt
Greece’s beleaguered prime minister, George Papandreou, faces increasing pressure to resign after announcing U-turn on euro referendum
Draghi announces rate cut amid fears of mild recession
European Central Bank president Mario Draghi marks inaugural Governing Council press conference with 25 basis point rate cut; ECB reveals details of covered bond scheme
Brazilian politicians take on inflation-targeting mandate
Bill to alter Central Bank of Brazil's inflation target mandate passes Senate Economic Affairs Committee; discussion flares-up as to whether central bank is already employing a mulit-target mandate
Risk USA: US regulators “scared to death” by eurozone debt crisis
The sovereign debt crisis is a concern, but direct US bank exposure is manageable, says senior OCC official
Bernanke faces tough questions at press conference
Federal Reserve chairman tackles queries on monetary policy impact, Europe and political pressure; only recently started holding post-FOMC press conferences
BoE data shows Project Merlin on schedule to hit targets
Bank of England’s Trends in Lending shows UK’s five largest banks are on target to meet lending commitments under programme to boost UK financing to businesses
Carney explains Canada-US price gap narrowing
Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney discusses drivers of price differentials between the Canadian dollar and US dollar